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My sister looks livid. “Keep talking and I’m also confiscating your phone.”
Lips pursed, looking morose, Leslie keeps quiet.
Nora gets off her chair and hugs me, then she lets go and runs over to Marissa, climbing on top of her and smothering her in a hug. And I’m not sure who in the room looks more shocked. My parents, Marissa’s parents, our sisters…
I’ve got a feeling this will be a Thanksgiving remembered for the ages.
39
MARISSA
Half an hour later, John and I are seated in his living room facing the parents’ inquisition like two unruly teenagers. Katy and her husband have taken the kids upstairs to “let the adults talk” while Teresa is sort of acting as our defense attorney.
“Let me get this straight.” John’s mom is rubbing her forehead. “You went to the clinic to have a baby on your own?”
“Yes,” I say.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” my mom asks.
“It was my decision. I didn’t need to ask for permission.”
Looking hurt, Dad counters, “We would’ve supported you either way.”
“I wasn’t even sure I’d get pregnant. I wanted to be sure before I said anything.”
Mom snaps, “You still hadn’t told us now that you’re two months along.”
I flare my nostrils. “Because it’s not safe to tell until the end of the third trimester.”
John’s father speaks next, addressing his son. “And was it really an accident that this is your baby?”
“Yes.”
“But are you dating or not?” his mother asks.
John turns to me with raised eyebrows.
I don’t know what to say, so Teresa speaks instead. “We don’t have to put a label on things, do we? Maybe, given their complicated history, John and Marissa are taking things slow and trying to figure out where they stand.”
Mom pouts. “I wouldn’t call sneaking out of someone’s house in the middle of the night taking things slow.”
“Mom!” I snap. “John and I never had sex. Never, ever, not once in our lives!”
“Okay.” John scratches the back of his head. “Maybe that’s too much information.”
I turn to him, arms crossed over my chest. “Should I have called it special cuddles?”
Teresa is the next one to lose her cool. “Can we all please stop talking about special cuddles and agree on the most important thing?”
All eyes turn to her.
“A new baby is coming, and we’re all happy to welcome him or her into our families, regardless of what these two decide to do with their lives.”
“You’re right. A baby is a blessing, no matter how or why it happened.” John’s father stands. “I’ll get some prosecco to celebrate.” He turns to me. “Is apple cider good for you, dear?”
My stomach is not entirely settled yet. “Just water, please.”
With the toast, the tension is finally broken.
